Ministry News

Coral Ridge: We Like You Tchividjian, We Really Do

Details: Tuesday, 22 September 2009 09:13

UPDATE: After months of unrest at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Sunday the congregation voted overwhelmingly to keep its senior pastor, Tullian Tchividjian.

The charismatic grandson of Billy Graham was selected as the church’s leader in March by more than 91 percent of its members, but in recent months faced harsh criticism from a small group of longtime members that included founding pastor D. James Kennedy’s daughter. The dissenters argued that Tchividjian is leading the church away from its position as a nationally recognized bedrock for religious and political conservatism (Kennedy co-founded the Moral Majority). They also faulted the new pastor for opting to discontinue recording new shows for Kennedy’s famous Coral Ridge Hour TV and radio ministry, for merging the older Coral Ridge congregation with the younger church he founded in nearby Margate, Fla., and for not following such Coral Ridge traditions as having an altar call after each sermon.

“God bless the young people that he's brought over, but you've got to understand they've been meeting in a cafeteria or the high school,” said Jim Fisola, one of the six longtime Coral Ridge members banned from the church property after sending letters to the 2,000-member congregation calling for Tchividjian’s firing. “They are now in a [multimillion-] dollar edifice, and they didn't have to work for it. … This man doesn't have the experience or the maturity to lead.”

By Sept. 9, more than 400 members agreed with Fisola and signed a petition calling for Tchividjian’s removal. The move prompted church leaders to hold a vote this past Sunday, to which those present cast a 940-422 vote (69 percent to 31 percent) in favor of keeping their maligned pastor.

“My family and I thank the Coral Ridge family for standing behind us and supporting me as your new pastor,” Tchividjian wrote in a statement after hearing of the results. “While conflict is never easily resolved, this matter was handled in accordance with our denomination’s guidelines and we now look forward to moving forward with the work I believe God has called us to do in this community. Change is difficult for any institution, but it is especially difficult for a church which has known only one pastor in its 50-year history, and I understand that. Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church is not my church, and it wasn’t Dr. Kennedy’s church. It’s God’s church and I want to honor Him and carry on the legacy of Jesus above anything or anyone else.” [miamiherald.com, 9/21/09, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church press release, 9/20/09]

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Comments

0 #15 Eleanor Bauer 2009-09-29 12:51

Hilda made a good point when she related what her church went through after losing their pastor after so many years. God does not provide a clone of the previous pastor and we should not expect that. Wait and see what the Lord can do through this new pastor and you will love him as much as your old pastor. God Bless you in this time of adjustment.

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0 #14 Hilda 2009-09-29 08:37

As someone who went thru losing a pastor who was there my whole life from childhood to adulthood and then witnessing the turmoil that the church went thru after his death I sympathize with this young pastor. What caused so much division in my church was the unwillingness of the older members to understand that God had no intention of sending us a "clone" of our former beloved pastor. I would say to this church--please remember that if the legacy of Dr. Kennedy is the cause of your anxiety, you might want to remember that it's not about his legacy as wonderful as this great man of God was--but it's about JESUS, OK! God bless you and may your hearts be comforted and your minds stayed on JESUS.

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0 #13 Bob Pierce 2009-09-29 07:15

I think you're all crazy.

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+1 #12 Sandra Hlavac 2009-09-23 11:22

It just seems to me that Coral Ridge did not have a thorough interview with Pastor Tullian about where he stood in following the legacy of Dr. Kennedy. I don't know all the facts, but it seems this information between to 2 parties could have been spared all this grief had that been done. Anyone know about this? I pray the best for them all and that God will be glorified in it.

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-3 #11 campbe33 2009-09-23 01:31

I just looked at the pulpit and it does look serpent like tome too. What's that snake shaped like edifice behind it?

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+6 #10 Rev Earl Jackson 2009-09-22 23:43

It is easy for outsiders to be quick to approve or disapprove the actions of a distant church, of which they are not members. The churches of Jesus Christ are His and not ours. Traditions and personal likes or dislikes are not the requirements for choosing a pastor. He must be filled with the Holy Spirit. And he must meet all the requirements of 1Timothy 3: 1-7 and Titus 1: 7-9. These are the things that matter. Not who paid for a multi-million dollar edifice, or not whether or not a man gives an altar call. And by the way, there is nothing serpent-like about Coral Ridge's pulpit!

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+5 #9 Zenaida Wagner 2009-09-22 16:32

I am glad that this matter was aired publicly and that Pastor Tchividjian was confirmed in his post as leader of the church. God has called us to make disciples, and this purpose can easily be defeated when politics is injected into the equation. One thing I would like to suggest is the removal of the serpent-like pulpit. It seems out of place in a Christian church.

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0 #8 Pam Hoke 2009-09-22 14:54

I am amazed at those within the body of Christ who continue to try to add to the Word of God. No where in the Bible can you find the "sinner's prayer" or "altar call" and yet there are those who continue to make this a huge point. We are commanded instead to go and make disciples...not converts. We are to teach people how to live the life of Christ. Not just pray some "get me out of hell" prayer. Seems like this pastor is just following the commands of the Word of God instead of the commands of man.

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+8 #7 Malcolm 2009-09-22 10:58

So when it all boils down to it Jim Fisola can only articulate its about who paid for the building not who is using it now. Us verses them. The ones who paid for it as opposed to the ones who they set up to build Gods church for the future. God have mercy on their souls.

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+2 #6 Kayjona 2009-09-22 09:54

Jesus told the Pharisees and scribes that they had made the Word of God of none effect following the traditions of men. They wanted Jesus disciples to act like they did, but Jesus was ushering a new era whereby we now have direct access to the Father through the finished work at Calvary. Yes change is difficult, but we can do all things thru Christ who gives us strength. I suggest a book entitled "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson for those struggling with change. Although it was written for business our pastor had our leadership read it during a transitional period at our church. It was extremely helpful.

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